Rotary explosive-motor.



PATENTBD JULY 26, 1904.

J.- F. HATHAWAY. ROTARY EXPLOSIVE MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE l0, 1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

Wi/humm.

No. 765,777. PATENTED JULY 26, 1904.

J. P. HATHAWAY.

ROTARY EXPLOSIVE MOTOR.

APPLlOATION FILED JUNE 10, 1903.

N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 765,777. PATENTED JULY-26, 1904.

J. F. HATHAWAY.

ROTARY BXPLOSIVE MOTOR.

APPLIoATIoN FILED JUNE 1o, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES Patented July 26, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES F. HATHAWVAY, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECTAND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO HATHAWAY ROTARY ENGINE CO., OF SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION or CALIFORNIA.

ROTARY EXPLOSlVE-NIOTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 765,777, dated July 26,1904.

Application led June 10, 1903. Serial No. 160,833. (No model.)

T0 all wiz/07m t www concern:

Beit known that I, JAMES F. HATIIAWAY, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of San Francisco, State of California,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in RotaryExplosive-Motors; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the same.

The present invention relates to an explosive-motor adapted for thedriving of vehicles or for use in the driving of machinery generally,the object of the invention being to form a compact, light, andinexpensive motor for the generation of power for use in operatingautomobiles or for machine purposes, the device comprising a series ofindependently-operative stationary explosive-cylinders, with a series oftraveling pistons which successively work within the explosivecylinders, With means operated during the travel of the piston throughthe explosive-chamber of the cylinders for the generation of a spark forthe firing of the explosive mixture or hydrocarbon delivered into theexplosive-chambers back of the traveling pistons, the invention furthercomprising details of construction hereinafter more fully pointed out inthe specification.

To comprehend -the invention reference should be had to the accompanyingsheets of drawings, wherein*- Figure lis a side view in elevation,disclosing the Inotor removed from within its casing, the governormechanism, feed-supply for the hydrocarbon or explosive mixture beingremoved and one of the explosive-cylinders being in section. Fig. 2 is avertical sectional end view of the apparatus with its connections, thegovernor mechanism, the air-feed connections, and the outer casing beingremoved, said view being taken on line a', Fig. 1 of the drawings. Fig.3 is a cross-sectional view of one of the explosive-cylinders, saidsection being through the feed for the explosive mixture. Fig. 4 is asimilar view of one of the cylinders, taken on aline of the lockmechanism forv the gate or shutter for closing the end of the cylinderafter the entrance of a piston therein. Fig. 5 is a detail horizontalsectional broken plan view of the mechanism set forth in Fig. 4,disclosing the position of one of the gate or shutter wings after thepiston is within the cylinder; and Fig. 6 is an end view in elevation,the outer casing being partly broken away, disclosing the entireapparatus as erected for the driving of machinery generally.

The numeral 1 is used to indicate two fixed or stationary spaced disks,between which disks are held a series of separated independent cylinders2. 4These cylinders may be said to constitute an outer rim for thespaced disks or plates 1, which disks or plates are held upward by thesupports 3. Through bearings 4 of the disks or plates 1 worksapower-shaft 5, which is provided with the fly-wheels 6, located beyondthe disks or plates 1. The motion of the shaft 5 is transmitted by anysuitable mechanism for power purposes, preferably through the medium ofa belt (not shown) working over pulley-wheel 7, attached to one end ofthe said shaft.

Tothe shaft 5 is secured a circular spider 8, which is arranged torotate between the disks or plates 1. To' the periphery of said spideris attached a series of pistons 9, the diameter of which pistons is suchas to fill snugly the chamber 10 of the cylinders 2 during the rotarytravel of the spider 8. This spider is driven by the action of anexplosive charge within the explosion chamber 10, acting against thepistons 9, as hereinafter explained.

The outer edge of the spider 8 completely iills a longitudinal slot 11,cut through the bottom of each cylinder 2, the pistons being secured tothe brackets 12, upwardly projecting from the periphery of the spider 8.

Each cylinder 2 is provided with a waterjacket 13, so as to form awater-'circulating chamber 14. Water is delivered to thecirculating-chambers 14 by the supply-pipe 15, which pipe connects witheach chamber 14 by means of the branch pipes 16. The Water escapes fromwithin the chamber 14 of the cylinders 2 by means of the outletpipes 17,which pipes connect with a common outletpipe 18.

The forward end of each cylinder 2 is formed into an enlarged mouth19,within which works a rotatable four-winged shutter or gate 20. Thegate-wings 2lY as thrown to cover or close the cylinder -mouth '19 arelocked against movement by means of the laterally-movable lock-pins 2223, which engage with the lower wing of the gate and hold the saidshutter or gate 20 against rotation. These lock-pins, which, ashereinafter explained, also actuate the sparking means for the explosivecharge of the cylinders, are moved inward and outward by means of thespring-pressed fulcrumed levers 24. The upper end of these levers engagewith the outer portion of the lock-pins 22 23, which pins are normallyheld outward by means of the spring 25, exerting an inward pressure onthe lower end of the said levers 24. These levers are moved to force thelock-pins inward by the cam-surfaces` 26 of the disks 27, keyed to theshaft 5, bearing against the roll 28, secured to the lower end of eachlever 24 during the rotation of said disks 27. The position of thesecamsurfaees is such that the levers 24 are not operated to force inwardthe lock-pins 22 23 their full distance until the pistons 9 have moved aslight distance beyond the feed-inlet 29 for the hydrocarbon. However,the moment the pistons have entered within the explosionchamber l()ofthe cylinders 2 the lock-pins 22 23 will have moved such a distance asto lock the gate or shutter 2O against movement or rotation. The innerend of the lock-pins 22 23 as forced into the cylinders 2 move withinthe guides 30 30, carried by the wings 2l of the said shutter or gate.

To the inner face of each wing21, between the guides 30 30, thespring-contacts 31 32 are attached, which contacts as they approach eachother generate a jump-spark for the liring of the explosive chargewithin the chamber l() between the rear wall of the piston 9 therein andthe forward wall or face of the closing-wing of the shutter or gate 20.

The lock-pins 22 23 are connected by wires a 7) with a suitable batteryor source of current. The lock-pin 22 moves within an insulated seat CZ,the outer end portion being' insulated, so as not to make contact withits guide 30. As the lock-pins 22 23 approach the completion of theirinward stroke they bear against the spring-contacts 31 32 and graduallyclose the switch or force the contacts together in order to generate aspark within the combustion-chamber l() of the cylinders for theexplosion of the explosive charge fed therein back of the moving piston.

The hydrocarbon or explosive charge is delivered into the cylindersthrough the feednozzle 32'.l into which nozzle the explosive gas isdelivered from the feed-pipe 33 and the air from pipes 34. The air-pipesconnect with the air-supply pipe 35, which pipe leads from an air-supplyreservoir 36. Into this reservoir at its lower end the heated exhaustfrom the several cylinders 2 is delivered by pipe 37, which pipeconnects with the exhaust-chamber 38 of each cylinder by means of thebranch pipes 39. By this means the air within the reservoir 36 ismaintained somewhat heated and suHcient pressure obtained to force same,through its connection, into the feed-nozzle 32 for each cylinder withthe required force to eject the explosive mixture into theexplosive-chamber of the cylinders.

As the pistons move from within the cylinders the spent gases resultingfrom an explosion enter the exhaust-chamber 38 of the cylinders 2through the ports 40, forming communication between theexplosive-chamber and the exhaust-chamber of the cylinders.

Within the air-supply pipe 33 is introduced a valve-couplingI 41, withinthe chamber 42 of which is located a ported diaphragm 43. The flow ofair through this chamber is regulated by the ported slide-plate 44,which is actuated by the reciprocating rod 45. This rod is normally heldoutward by the tension of the spring' 46, said rods movement beingcontrolled by the y-balls 47 of the governor 56 through the medium ofpivoted levers 47 48 48. As the fly-balls 47 are moved outward andinward by the increased or the decreased speed of the governor mechanismthe position of the slide-plate 44, through the medium of the describedconnection, is moved to close and open the port-openings of thediaphragm 43 in order to proportion the feed of air in proportion to therunning of the motor. By this means the supply of the explosive mixtureinto the explosive-chamber of the pistons is automatically controlled bythe speed of the motor, inasmuch as the stroke or reciprocation of theslide-plate is regulated by the position at which the lever 47 stands.This lever at its inner end is hinged or pivoted to a slide-rod 49,which is connected to one arm of the bell-crank lever 49, the oppositearm of said bell-crank lever being pivoted to the upper end of theconnecting-rod 50, which rod is attached at its lower end to acrank-pin51, projecting from the pinion 52. This pinion is mounted upon a stud53, attached to the casing 54 and is driven from an intermeshing gear55, secured to the projecting portion of the shaft 5.

The governor 56 is driven by the endless connecting-cord 57, workingover the pulleywheels 57 572 573.

lnasmuch as the operation of the parts for one cylinder during theexplosion of acharge is identical with that which takes place in theother cylinders, it is not deemed necessary to follow the working ofmore than one of the cylinders, it being understood that what takes IOOILO

IIS

place in one' cylinder is being' duplicated in the remaining cylinders.

Each cylinder 2 is in shape the segment of a circle which corresponds tothe arc described by the pistons 9 during the course of their movementor circular travel.

The motor is started in the usual manner for imparting initial movementto explosiveenginesthat is, by giving a few turns to the power-shaft. Asthe pistons 9 advance toward the enlarged mouth of the cylinders 2 theybear against the lowermost wing' of the rotatable gate or shutter 20,moving the same inward in advance of the piston to rotate the said gateor shutter. The following wing will thus be turned downward back of themoving piston, so that by the time the piston 9 has advanced within theexplosion-chamber 10 of the cylinder 2 beyond the feed-inlet 29 for theexplosive compound or charge the rear wing of the rotatable gate orshutter will stand in a vertical position. The explosive compound orcharge is delivered into the space thus formed between the rear face ofthe piston and front of the vertical wing. During this movement ofthepiston the disks 27 will have revolved such a distance as to cause thecam-surfaces 26 to bear outward against the lower end of the levers 24to move the upper end thereof in a direction to force the lockpins 22 23inward into engagement with the guides 30 30 of the vertical wing of therotatable gate or shutter 20, thus locking the same against movement. Asthe said lockpins 22 23 approach each other' they bear against andgradually force toward each other the spring-contacts 3l 32 to make ajumpspark, which spark explodes or fires the charge fed into thecylinder. 'The force of the explosion thus made drives the piston 9 fromwithin its cylinder toward and into the cylinder immediately in advancethereof, where the same operation is repeated. During' this travel ofthe piston the cam-surfaces 26 will move from engagement with the levers24, when the pressure of the springs 25 will force the lowerend thereofinward to move the upper end of the levers outward to withdraw thelock-pins 22 23 from locked engagement with the wing of the rotatablegate or shutter 20 to release the said shutter or gate in order that thesame may be given a step rotation by contact therewith of the advancingpiston.

lt will be understood that the spent gases after an explosion escapeinto the exhaustchamber of the cylinder', as hereinbefore described.

. As the pistons are driven they impart rotation to the spider 8, whichin turn drives the power-shaft 5.

As the described operation takes place in each cylinder during themovement of the pistons a continuous rotation is imparted or transmittedto thel power-shaft 5, which power may be utilized for any desiredpurpose.

The essential feature of the present invention resides in the employmentof a series of cylinders, with a series of driven pistons successivelyworking within the cylinders, with means for feeding an explosive chargeinto each cylinder behind the piston moving therein, withautomatically-operated mechanism for generating an explosive spark forfiring the explosive charge back of the piston, together with operativemeans whereby the explosive force which drives the pistons istransmitted for power purposes.

Having thus described the invention, what is Aclaimed as new, anddesired to be protected by Letters Patent, is-

1. An explosive-motor comprising a series of cylinders, a series ofpistons Working successively through the cylinders, devices actuated bythe movement of the pistons to close the end of the cylinders as thepistons enter therein, a power-shaft driven by the movement of thepistons, means for feeding an explosive mixture into the cylinders backof the moving pistons, and devices actuated during the travel of thepiston for locking the cylinder-closing devices and firing the explosivecharge fed into the cylinders.

2. An explosive-motor comprising aseries of independent stationarycylinders, a powershaft, a series of pistons connected thereto so as totravel successively within the cylinders,

IOS

table gate or shutter located in each cylinder to close the mouththereof as the pistons enter therein, means for feeding an explosivecharge into the cylinders, and devices actuated during the travel of thepistons to lock Athe rotatable gateor shutter against movement, fire theexplosive charge and release the locked gate or shutter after theexplosion of a charge within the cylinders.

4. In an explosive-motor of the described character, the combinationwith fixed or stationary disks, of aseries of independent cylinders heldbetween the said disks, a powershaft Working in bearings of the disks, aseries of independent pistons secured to the shaft through the medium ofa spider-disk,

said pistons working' successively through the' cylinders, and meanswhereby an explosive charge is tired back of the pistons as forcedthrough the cylinders.

5. In an explosive-motor of the described character, the combinationwith a series of independent water-jacketed cylinders, a series IIO ofpistons working successively through the cylinders, means for causingthe pistons to travel in a circular path, an exhaustchamber in eachcylinder to receive the spent gases, a feed for delivering an explosivemixture into the cylinders back of the pistons moving therein, devicesfor automatically tiring the explosive charge while the pistons arewithin the cylinders, an air-reservoir, connections between theexhaustchambers and the reservoir for delivering the spent gasesthereto, and connections between the said reservoir and the iced-nozzlesfor the cylinders for admitting air under pressure to enter thefeednozzle to eject an explosive charge into the cylinders.

6. An explosive-motorcomprising a series of circnlarly-arranged fixedcylinders,` a series of connected driven pistons working successivelythrough each of the said cylinders, means for automatically feeding anexplosive charge into each cylinder back of the piston moving therein,and automatically-operated mechanism for generating a spark for firingthe explosive charge.

Inl witness whereof I have hereunto set my hanc.

JAMES F. HATHAVVAY.

Witnesses:

A. J. HENRY, M. A. HENRY.

